A scanner is programmed with the capability to send images via a parallel
port and report data via a serial port to a remote device, both images
and report data being identified by the same study identifier. In
particular, the images are sent out an Ethernet port in DICOM format,
while the report data is sent out an RS232 port in ASCII format. The
scanner preferably includes memory storing a frame of image data
belonging to a study and report data belonging to said study; a parallel
port; a serial port; and a computer programmed to perform the following
steps: joining a study identifier with the frame of image data; sending
the frame of image data and the study identifier in a first format out
the parallel port; joining the study identifier with the report data; and
sending the report data and the study identifier in a second format out
the serial port.